Chinese demand for platinum jewellery is soaring towards a record annual high thanks to a sharp drop in the precious metal's price, leading metals group Johnson Matthey forecast.
In Brazil, famed for its tiny bikinis and carefree attitude, a university student has been expelled after violent protests by students outraged at the short outfit she wore on campus.
Luxury goods group Burberry has hooked up with social networking company Facebook to launch a Web site celebrating its trench coat, becoming the latest retailer to use social media in a bid to boost its brand.
Rights abuses in Zimbabwe diamond fields are set to dominate talks that began in Namibia among representatives of the system charged with preventing trade in the gems from fuelling armed conflicts.
A Hong Kong firm has launched a series of television commercials offering personal loans in exchange for ladies' luxury handbags
Estee Lauder Cos Inc's recent upbeat forecast could be much more than cosmetic. Estee Lauder is due to report financial results and has already pleased investors by saying its first-quarter profit will be significantly higher than thought
Palestinians in the West Bank town of Hebron unveiled what they believe is the largest embroidered dress ever sewn, in a bid to promote their local handicrafts.
Japan's first lady Miyuki Hatoyama, who has made headlines with tales of her alien encounters, drew fresh media attention this week - for being a fashion ambassador for humble blue jeans.
Nearly all U.S. working women believe that their professional appearance is crucial to success at work, and one in five female executives say they have withheld a promotion or a raise due to the way an employee dresses.
Following in the footsteps of Bill Maher, Chris Rock enters the documentary waters with this exploration of a rather less-weighty subject than religion - the great efforts undertaken by black women (and more than a few men) toward their coiffures.
Beauty queen Miss Singapore World has given up her crown after it emerged that she had stolen credit cards to go on a shopping spree for lingerie.
Italian fashionistas hit back at foreign media reports that their latest creations were for "bimbos" inspired by the sex scandals surrounding Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's private life.
A new fashion magazine built on daydreams, fantasy and fairy-tales in an unashamed flirtation with teenaged girls has become this season's "must read" at London Fashion Week.
After having launched its Arabic site and newsletter last week, FashionMag.com is continuing its expansion with a Portuguese version.
Psychiatrists called on the government to address the soaring numbers of websites which promote anorexia and bulimia as a lifestyle choice rather than an eating disorder.